Gracie Barra: Locations, History, and What to Expect
Founded 1986 by Carlos Gracie Jr.
About Gracie Barra
Gracie Barra was founded by Carlos Gracie Jr., the son of the original Carlos Gracie. After leaving his family's Humaitá academy, Carlinhos (as he's known) opened his own school in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood of Rio, which became the foundation of what is now an international network.
Gracie Barra is known for a highly systematized curriculum that progresses students through structured fundamentals, advanced, and master programs. The network is closely tied to the IBJJF — Carlos Gracie Jr. founded the IBJJF in 2002 — and many of its competitors are perennial fixtures at Worlds, Pan-Ams, and the European Open.
Gracie Barra academies share a uniform standard: red, white, and blue branding, the same gi patches, and a similar class structure regardless of location. This consistency is part of why families and traveling practitioners often default to Gracie Barra when relocating.
Style & Philosophy
Structured, belt-progression-focused curriculum emphasizing positional understanding and traditional gi training. Strong family / kids program built into most academies.
Notable Practitioners
- →Romulo Barral
- →Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro
- →Braulio Estima
- →Marcio Feitosa
- →Otavio Sousa
Find a Gracie Barra Academy (45)
Seattle
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- Gracie Barra Northeast Seattle Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense1421 NE 80th St, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Gracie Barra Seattle270 S Hanford St #201, Seattle, WA 98134, USA
- Gracie Barra Renton601 S Grady Way Suite H, Renton, WA 98057, USA
- Gracie Barra Bellevue2783 152nd Ave NE BLDG 8, Redmond, WA 98052, USA
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Houston
- Gracie Barra Texas Jiu Jitsu in League City, Houston450 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX 77598, USA
- Gracie Barra Pearland, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu3229 E Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581, USA
- Gracie Barra River Oaks Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Houston Tx4310 Westheimer Rd #240, Houston, TX 77027, USA
- Gracie Barra Westchase Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Houston Tx2610 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77063, USA
- Gracie Barra Webster (Draculino)
Austin
- Gracie Barra Westlake Hills8947 Bee Caves Rd Lower Level #102, Austin, TX 78746, USA
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- Gracie Barra South Austin8204 Brodie Ln #102, Austin, TX 78745, USA
- Gracie Barra North Austin Jiu Jitsu8868 Research Blvd #608, Austin, TX 78758, USA
Miami
- Gracie Barra Hialeah Brazilian Jiu Jitsu1001 W 49th St Suite #6, Hialeah, FL 33012, USA
- Gracie Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense18861 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180, USA
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- Gracie Barra Kendall Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense9726 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL 33176, USA
Los Angeles
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- Gracie Barra Northridge
San Diego
- Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu in San Diego - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu4809 Clairemont Dr Suite-A, San Diego, CA 92117, USA
Dallas
- Gracie Barra Cedar Hill329 N Hwy 67 Suite 220, Cedar Hill, TX 75104, USA
Acworth
- Gracie Barra Georgia5505 Bells Ferry Rd Suite 220, Acworth, GA 30102, USA
Round Rock
- Gracie Barra Round Rock - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense105 E Old Settlers Blvd ste:108, Round Rock, TX 78664, USA
Chicago
- Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu in Chicago630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
Cedar Park
- Gracie Barra Cedar Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense1805 Hur Industrial Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613, USA
Maracanaú
- Lions Academia
São José Dos Campos
- Gracie Barra Urbanova
Coventry
- Gracie Barra Holdbrooks Coventry
Belo Horizonte
- Gracie Barra Castelo
Pinerolo
- Gracie Barra - Pinerolo
Braga
- Gracie Barra Braga
Other
- Gracie Barra Maldon
Santiago
- Gracie Barra Santiago
Vancouver
- Gracie Barra Vancouver
Frenchs Forest
- Gracie Barra Sydney
Lisbon
- Gracie Barra Campolide Lisboa
Arnold
- Gracie Barra Nottingham (Victor Estima)
Birmingham
- Gracie Barra Birmingham (Braulio Estima)
London
- Gracie Barra Fulham
Montréal
- Gracie Barra (Notre-Dame)
Irvine
- Gracie Barra Headquarters
Cannock
- Alento
Tauranga
- Gracie Barra Tauriko
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gracie Barra a good BJJ gym? +
Gracie Barra has a deserved reputation for consistent quality across locations. The curriculum is systematized, the kids program is well-developed, and most academies have a real fundamentals track for beginners. Quality between specific academies varies, but the floor is generally high — visiting two Gracie Barra schools is a fair representation of what to expect from the network.
Who founded Gracie Barra? +
Carlos Gracie Jr., son of the original Carlos Gracie, founded Gracie Barra in 1986 in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. He also founded the IBJJF in 2002, which sets the rules for the largest BJJ tournament circuit.
How many Gracie Barra schools are there? +
Gracie Barra has over 700 academies across more than 30 countries, making it one of the largest BJJ networks globally. New academies open frequently in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Is Gracie Barra gi or no-gi? +
Gracie Barra primarily emphasizes gi training, especially in its fundamentals and kids curriculum. Most academies offer no-gi classes as well, but the network's identity is heavily gi-focused and aligned with IBJJF competition.
How much does Gracie Barra cost? +
Gracie Barra membership pricing varies by location, typically $150-$250/month for unlimited training. Most academies require a contract (6-12 months) and offer family discounts. The Gracie Barra brand is associated with higher-end pricing than independent gyms.
What's the difference between Gracie Barra and Gracie Humaitá? +
Both descend from the original Gracie family. Gracie Humaitá is Carlson Gracie's brother Royler Gracie's lineage, focused on classical fundamentals. Gracie Barra was founded by Carlos Gracie Jr. and has grown into a much larger, more standardized network with international expansion.
Related Lineages
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